Liturgical Instructions for Spring, 2017 From His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH

Annunciation, 2017 The Great Feast of the Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos, March 25, falls this year on the fourth Saturday of Great Lent. Parishes will offer services as follows:

 On the night of March 24, celebrate Great Vespers with the fourth stasis of the Akathist Hymn in between the Hymn of St. Simeon the God-receiver and the Trisagion Prayers. Litia/Artoklasia may be offered in its usual place before the Aposticha. Little Compline need not be offered this night.

 On the morning of March 25, celebrate Festal Orthros and Festal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

An Alternative Although His Eminence’s strong preference is that churches celebrate Festal Orthros and Festal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom on Saturday morning, pastors can use their discretion— after careful consideration and research as to when the most people can attend—and offer these services on Friday night, March 24. Parishes cannot offer a Vesperal Liturgy at all. With this alternative, they would sing the fourth stasis of the Akathist Hymn after “Blessed the Name of the Lord” in Liturgy.

 No Presanctified Divine Liturgy is to be offered on Friday, March 24 in anticipation of the Great Feast the next day.

If you have any questions about this directive, please write to Very Rev. Thomas Zain, Archdiocesan Vicar General, at [email protected]. For all other questions, please email Subdeacon Peter Samore at [email protected]. May your worship and prayers be offered for the glory of God and the edification of the faithful.